Voluntary Health Association of Sikkim
P.O.Box 144 GPO, Tadong, Gangtok 737 102 Sikkim Contact: Dr. B.B. Rai, Executive Director Ph: 0091-3592 271 141 / 270 396 - Email: vhas@sify.com
Voluntary Health Association of Sikkim (VHAS) was established in 1997 with the basic philosophy and mission to promote the sustainable community health and development in the state of Sikkim. It is a state level federation of grass-root level organization of Sikkim registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976. It is not a funding agency. It is a federal member of the VHAI, New Delhi. VHA of Sikkim is a non-profit making registered organization having secular constitution with the aim of improving the health and quality of life of the people irrespective of caste, creed, sex, religion and culture. VHA of Sikkim believes in the concept of self-reliance by people’s responsible partnership program leading to a continuing process of achieving a sustainable health and community development. The ultimate goal of the organization is ‘Making health a reality for the people of Sikkim’ with the people’s health and development movement in the state through community participation. It also endeavors to sensitize the general public towards cost effective, preventive, promotive and sustainable health care system through locally available resources and scientific attitude to health and community development without ignoring Sikkim’s natural traditions. The main objectives: Helping to create an atmosphere for building up people’s health and development movement through effective campaign and networking. To promote low cost, appropriate, scientific and people oriented health and development programs in harmony with traditional knowledge and skills of the various communities who comprises our multi-ethnic society. To provide people’s friendly technical or professional support, training and guidance in the field of community health and development. To strengthen professional voluntary initiatives in the state through Capacity Building Training and information dissemination. To promote sustainable community health and development through responsible action and human rights related to the provision and distribution of health services and developmental activities. Core activities and thrust areas: Health Orientation for group involved in development work. Reproductive and Child Health. HIV-AIDS and STDs. Traditional Systems of Medicine. School Health. Environment, Health and Sanitation. Communicable and Non-Communicable diseases. Capacity Building of Organizations. Income Generation Activities through Self-Help Group promotion. Networking and Rapport Building. Community Health and Development Management Training. Information, Public Education and Campaign. Women’s Health, Empowerment and Development. Integrated Community Health and Development Project. Rational Drug Therapy and Consumer Education. Research, Investigation, Policy and Advocacy. Strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions. VHAS managed the projects: Renovation of Rolep School - East Sikkim 2000 – 2002 School Health Programme - Gangtok, Sikkim 2000 – 2005 Paras Thezum Project – Singtam, Sikkim 2000 – 2004 - 2007 - 2010 VHAS manages currently the projects: School Environment-Health-Sanitation – Singtam, Sikkim 2007 – 2012 Village project PAKA (from West to East Pendam) 2010 - 2013 VHAS is a mother NGO, this means that it assists local NGOs in Sikkim. It has also a close relationship with our other partners VHAI, VHAM and WBVHA. Have also a look at our India visits	Dr B.B. Rai Executive Director VHAS Dr. BB Rai was born in Pastanga, Sikkim, became a doctor and started his rural live with a small rural clinic at his own village, 30 km away from Gangtok. One day he thought, there may be thousands of people who need his care and support. On the other hand, there was no NGO movement who can really serve the people for all round development. He started VHAS with a group of like minded people. “It is better to light a candle rather than complaining of darkness”.